Ever felt completely removed from God’s awareness? It’s almost like you’re standing at the bottom of a long stairway looking up, isn’t it? The light is off, and even though you knock or call out for a response, nothing happens. No answer is heard. Not even a stir. You’re not alone. Many a soul struggles at this very moment with divine silence. And to make matters worse, it can grind on for days, weeks, even months.
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Compassion in Suffering
He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. (Isaiah 53:3–4)
Read MoreFinding Justice in Injustice
And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment—wickedness was there, in the place of justice—wickedness was there. I thought in my heart,
“God will bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked; for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed.” (Ecclesiastes 3:16-17 NIV)
Tears
When words fail, tears flow. Tears have a language all their own, a tongue that needs no interpreter. In some mysterious way, our complex inner-communication system knows when to admit its verbal limitations . . . and the tears come. Eyes that flashed and sparkled only moments before are flooded from a secret reservoir. We try in vain to restrain the flow, but even strong men falter.
Read MoreGod’s Control
DAWSON TROTMAN, founder of the Navigators, an organization discipling and mentoring ministry leaders around the world, drowned while saving a swimmer from certain death. Eyewitnesses tell of the tears and helpless disbelief in the faces of those who now looked out across the deep blue water of Schroon Lake. Everyone’s face except one—Lila Trotman.
Read MoreHe Makes All Things New
THERE IS NO TORMENT like the inner torment of an unforgiving spirit. Without question, it is one of the most miserable attitudes to experience in life. In the New Testament, every mention of bitterness comes from the same Greek root—pik—which means “to cut, prick.” Peter wept “bitterly” after denying Christ (Matthew 26:75), that is, he wept because he was pricked in his conscience.
Read MoreGrace That Won’t Let Go
This is a good time to correct faulty thinking. It is not always God’s will that you be healed. It is not always the Father’s plan to relieve the pressure. Our happiness is not God’s chief aim.
Read MoreHumble Yourself Now
Take special notice of Job’s words. He does not reply, “I’ve got an argument here.” On the contrary, He says, “I retract and repent.” There’s no divine force. There’s no threatening rebuke from God.
Read MoreIncapable of Comprehending
God’s plans are beyond our understanding and too deep to explain. Perhaps God doesn’t explain Himself because knowing and understanding His way may not help us all that much. Stop and ask yourself: Does knowing why really help?
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